TONY Blair is to fly to Rome today to talk to Pope Benedict as he dithers about becoming a Catholic.

The PM will head for the Vatican straight after the Brussels summit, officially to discuss the Middle East crisis with the Pontiff.

But a conversion to Catholicism is almost certainly to be raised during their discussions.

Under Britain's constitution, Catholics are still barred from holding the highest office - meaning Mr Blair has been wary until now of leaving the Church of England. But he has taken Mass regularly alongside his Catholic wife Cherie for at least three decades.

The couple's four children have been raised in their mother's faith. And until 10 years ago, Mr Blair would worship most Saturday's at Westminster Cathedral.

Security fears meant he had to invite a priest to take Mass privately at Downing Street after he became PM.

Around 10 years ago, the late Cardinal Basil Hume advised him it was wrong to take communion as he was not a Catholic - an edict he is said to have found upsetting. But after this Wednesday - unencumbered by the office of Prime Minister - Mr Blair will be able to take communion and enter the faith he has identified with.

Last night Mr Blair insisted the issue of his faith was "unresolved". He admitted he was "nervous" discussing the issue before meeting the Pontiff.